For some reason I am having a horrible time maintaining 1/4 inch seams. Anyone have an tricks they might share. I have even resorted to placing a piece of tape on my machine... did not work lol. I have a Brother NX 400 - Seems silly I know, but it is very frustrating for me.

It is frustrating, isn't it. You could buy a 1/4 foot. Or, measure 1/4 inch away from your needle and place a stack of sticky notes to use as a guide. If you do a search on this board, you'll find some great tips. Alot of us have the same problem!

You're going to hear about special 1/4" feet for your machine, various other gadgets and gizmos guaranteed to guide you to the "sweet spot" and keep you there, plus any number of other tips and techniques for getting and staying on that straight and narrow seam line.

every bit of advice you'll get will be valid and useful because the person who shares it will have found that particular foot, gizmo, gadget, tip or technique to have worked well for her/him.

all of it will have work for somebody, but nothing works for every person or on every machine. (oh yeah ... machines have "issues" and quirks just like people do. every time i switch from one machine to another, i have to take some time "learning how to sew" all over again. annoying, but necessary.)

there's one very important thing i've recently realized we usually leave out when this subject comes up. it is, i think, the single most important thing of all. once you pick the thing(s) that work for you ... haul out a stack of scraps and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

don't get discouraged. before you know it, you'll be zinging through them quarter-inchers like a pro - and giving advice to the next person who asks. :mrgreen:

I discovered a magnetic Quilter's Seam Guide by Dritz Quilting it was less then $2.00 @ joann's. All you do is measure where you want it and it will "stick" in to place. it gives you a wall to keep your fabric aginst while you sew. It is working great for me and the added plus is it is adjustable to what ever seam allowance you want.

Are you using a quilting foot? I checked on the web - there is a one quarter inch quilting foot available for your machine. Some quilting feet even have a vertical guide attached at the exact one quarter spot.

If you are not using a quilting foot, does your machine have a clear wide foot that has lines on it?If so you could place your tape in front and behind the foot so you can line up your piece and see what you are doing.

I found when I was starting that speed was my enemy. I am sure others will have more recommendations but my best suggestion is

I am at work but I think g the J foot is what I am using. That foot was on the machine when I purchased it. I am going to try and attach a list of the accessories so you can see which foot that is. Thanks everyone for your helpful hints. I might go to Joanns after work tomorrow and see if I can find the quilter's seam guide.

When I found the 1/4 foot with guide that fit my machine I was in piecing heaven. It's a no brainer, the guide does all the work. One thing to remember in piecing is not let the bottom few stitches veer from a straight line.